Pages

Portmeirion China







The intricate designs of colourful flowers and butterflies on a snowy white base have been deservedly popular since their introduction in 1972.


Portmeirion China


However there are numerous other Portmeirion designs which, though not quite so well-known as Botanic Garden, are collected by people who love unusual and gorgeous designs. Perhaps the most stunning motifs are those which decorate the Birds of Britain range of pottery.





The designer, Susan Williams- Ellis, is the daughter of architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, who masterminded the building of the Italian-style village of Portmeirion in North Wales.





This village arose from Sir Clough's desire to demonstrate that well-chosen architecture could enhance a landscape, and today is a beautiful place full of weathered pastel-coloured eccentric buildings nestling against a sheltered hillside, surrounded by exotic flowers and overlooking a tranquil estuary. In 1966 the village received a great publicity boost when the cult series, 'The Prisoner' was filmed there.




Portmeirion China



Susan first began to design pottery in the 1960s and her original ideas greatly influenced many other manufacturers, as for instance, the 1963 Totem design which consisted of a raised geometrical abstract pattern covered with a green, blue or brown transparent flow glaze.



The glaze emphasised the moulding, and was greatly copied, though no one else managed to achieve Susan's crisp modelling of the embossed shapes.






Portmeirion China
At this time Portmeirion China was experimenting with the elegant 'cylinder shape' - tall coffee pots, straight sided mugs and jugs - highly typical of the 1960s, and still featured today in many of the company's ranges.


Contrary to popular belief, the china isn't actually manufactured at Portmeirion but is made at Stoke-on-Trent. It was Susan's close links with the village that led to her choosing the same name for her factory and, naturally, the wares are sold at Portmeirion amidst the glorious surroundings which must have provided her with much inspiration over the years.
An early innovative idea was her range of large matt black tankards with chunky handles. These mugs, which proved very successful, were decorated in gold with various zodiac signs, and made ideal gifts.



Portmeirion China
They were also used to commemorate special events such as the Apollo moon landing, cup final matches and the Investiture of Prince Charles. Sometimes these tankards can be found printed on cobalt blue or matt white, or in black on a white or coloured background.




In 1978 tableware decorated with Birds of Britain appeared in the shops and proved an instant success. Based on paintings from a book by Edward Donovan dated 1794, these enchanting, often quaint, illustrations boldly fill the centre of a plate, side of a cup or centre of a bowl - a complete contrast to the more usual dainty bird designs found on conventional pieces from other potteries.



Portmeirion China
A collection of these dynamic items of crockery, displayed perhaps on a dresser or shelf, is not only a great talking point at dinner parties, it's practical too - because you can use some of them for your meal!



The Birds of Britain design can be found on numerous pieces, including several shapes of cups and mugs, plates, platters, jugs, bowls, dishes, tureens and condiments sets and is freezer, microwave and dishwasher proof.







Portmeirion China

In addition, it decorates oven-to-table ware and this can be recognised by an unglazed, ribbed base which feels slightly rough. Beautiful bird decorated vases are available too, and in the mid 1990s a selection of melamine ware, including trays and dishes, was introduced.














Portmeirion China

Birds featured include Wood Duck, Waxwing, Nightingale,
Swan, Little Egret, Redstart, Hoopoe, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch, Osprey, Barn Owl, Kingfisher, Nuthatch, and Cirl Bunting.



In all, over 40 species are depicted in their natural habitats. Often, there is a delicate border of oak leaves and acorns, a sage green rim, or a secondary pattern of birds on a ferny branch. Prices range from around £6 for a sugar bowl to £160 for a magnificent lidded soup tureen, and every piece is a work of art. The only problem has been with the owl, as in some countries owls are considered unlucky, and so there the motif isn't used.





A companion to Birds of Britain is the Complete Angler pattern, which Susan designed as an ideal range of giftware for men. This magnificent range of plates, mug
s and cookware features fish such as salmon, trout, pike and perch, based on paintings by A F Lydon first published in 1879.



Portmeirion China




On the reverse of many of the items is a green cartouche decorated with classic-style dolphins and containing the English and Latin names of the fish.


The marks on the bases of the Complete Angler and Birds of Britain pieces are wonderfully informative, bearing not only the Portmeirion logo but also the date the pattern was first introduced, plus details of the artist and book which inspired the designs. Many other Portmeirion patterns have been produced over the years and all have their devotees.



Portmeirion China
Ranges include Talisman (abstract), Tiger Lily (barge-painted flowers), Ancestral Jewel (Celtic jewellery), Pomona (fruit), Ladies Flower Garden (bouquets), Holly and the Ivy (Christmas), Queen's Hidden Garden (wild flowers) and Enchanted Garden (elves and fairies). Portmeirion China is instantly recognisable by the unmistakable pure whiteness of the ceramic, plus the quality and weight.







The distinctive Birds of Britain design, though, is outstanding, and is gaining popularity particularly in the States. No doubt in years to come it will be highly sought after by collectors of lovely things. In the meantime enjoy using this distinctive Portmeirion design which brings so much beauty to the most humdrum of meals.

No comments:

Post a Comment